Parshati Patel, PhD
Astrophysicist | Science Communicator & Educator | Author | Artist
Parshati Patel (Ph.D.) is an Astrophysicist turned Science Communicator & Educator, Author and Artist.
From being in classrooms and talking to the media to organizing large-scale public events and training educators, Parshati enjoys sharing her passion for space with people of all ages! She has developed and led various workshops, programs, and initiatives in the past 10 years of her science outreach and education career. She has managed national-level projects and collaborated with multiple local, national, and international organizations. She has served as a science consultant for children's books, authored a children’s space book and researched the impact of the outreach programs she conducts on the youth participants. Parshati advocates for Women of Color and Women in STEM.
MY BOOK OF STARS AND PLANETS
Parshati authored a book of space facts recently with DK (Penguin Random House). It is a 96-page book aimed at 5-8 yr olds or anyone who would like an introduction to astronomy.
Engagement & Outreach
Parshati is talking to students about the Martian landscape at Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory’s Science Literacy Week event. Image Credit: Henry Leparskas
Science Communication, Public Engagement and Outreach are Parshati’s passions. She has led a wide variety of local and national projects and initiatives that engage students, educators, parents and stakeholders.
Public Speaking
Parshati led a workshop on careers in Astronomy for students at K.S. Vishwavidyalaya in Gandhinagar, India in January 2019. Image Credit: Akash Parmar
Parshati loves opportunities to interact with students and the public. She has been invited as a speaker, panelist, panel moderator, and interviewee in settings including conferences, schools, colleges, virtual sessions, and retirement homes.
Research
Parshati presented her research at the International Astronautical Congress in Washington D. C. in October 2019. Image Credit: Xiaochen Zhang
Being a scientist and researcher by education, Parshati is inherently curious! During her Ph.D., Parshati studied disks around young, massive stars! Now, she studies youth engagement in space and STEM fields.
Education & Training
Parshati training the next generation of Science Communicators at Western University in January 2020. Image Credit: Dana Beaton
Training fellow astronomy and science communication enthusiasts are something Parshati became passionate about during graduate school. She continues to share her knowledge through various workshops she has developed.
In the Media
Parshati talking to CBC Radio London’s Rebecca Zandbergen about meteors and meteorites. Image Credit: CBC/Kate Dubinski
Parshati enjoys sharing her thoughts with readers and listeners across the world. She is frequently interviewed by media on various topics including Astronomy, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Public Engagement!
Photography
Parshati loves capturing the night sky in Canada. This image was captured in Miller Lake, Ontario during the summer of 2016. Image Credit: Parshati Patel
Recently, Parshati rediscovered her love to use her lens to capture the amazing night sky and nature! She regularly ventures out to the countryside and dark skies to see what the beautiful Canadian landscape and skies have to offer.
